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Making A Video: The Inoculated Canaries "Count Me Out"

Declan: Just watching the video you all look like you just like to have fun when you are playing music. How much of what we see in this video is really how Inoculated Canaries is?

Mike Rubin: It’s a pretty accurate representation of how we all are on a regular basis, with the exception of having our faces painted. When you’re up there on stage with your friends and you’re playing music you wrote it’s really hard not to feel great about it.Declan: When you were writing the song "Count Me Out' did you have this presentation in mind?Mike Rubin: No, the idea of the glow in the dark paint started as a joke while we were working on the actual video treatment. We were originally thinking about dressing up as superheroes and created this entire galactic battle. Somehow we kept coming back to the glow in the dark concept and it slowly began to take on a voice of its own.Declan: How involved was the band in creating the different parts of the video?Mike Rubin: We were hands on for the entire project. We did everything ourselves with the help of a few close friends.Declan: How did you keep it from getting on your instruments and how difficult was it to wash off yourselves?Mike Rubin: We actually used body doubles for our instruments. What we didn’t realize at first is that even after you wash the paint off, your skin still glows in the dark for about a day or two afterward!Declan: Did you have to do anything special, obviously you all used a black light, but how did you go about setting it up so the capture was clean?Mike Rubin: It took 2 days of actual shooting so we had to get painted twice - you can imagine how much fun that was. Shooting in black light was definitely a challenge but it was most difficult in the laser tag place. With the musicians budget that we had to work with we resorted to the fancy lighting that we all had in our pockets to help spotlight - our cell phone flashlights!

Declan: Who did the video work, and was there any certain criteria you all wanted in a videographer, like have tons of experience, use a certain brand?

Mike Rubin: Like I said earlier, we really did everything ourselves. I borrowed my mom’s camera and basically handed it to a friend and said: “shoot”. We had a wonderful time planning the shoot, setting up for it, taping our instruments, painting the t-shirts and our faces. We asked some friends to help with the cameras.Declan: In the end, what do you feel is most important... the song itself (audio) or the video take of the song (visual) or are they of equal value? Can you explain your point of view?Mike Rubin: I love the video and I’m extraordinarily happy with how it ended up, but I always maintain that the music is most important. We’re musicians first, and cinematographers second. The video does a great job of creating a vibe for the song, but at the end of the day, it’s the track that’s really got something to say.Declan: Do you have a particular song next in mind for a music video off of you EP coming out "Trying Times?"Mike Rubin: We’ve got a few things cooking in the oven at the moment. Maybe a cover? Maybe another original? Who Knows!? It might even be animated…. By the way, if you know any good animators drop me a line.Declan: Would you share one of your favorite music videos?

Michael Rubin: Kind of an oddball choice for me, but I think the video is extremely entertaining

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The land of Michigan has given the world a deluge of multiple necessities and sheer pleasures outside of what at one time was the auto industry mecca. Like its heart and soul of the blue collared working person that breeds an indelible, almost pioneer spirit, the music from here reflects its surroundings as once again this 26th state, added to the Union in January of 1837, is having a rebirth. The possibility of this land known warmly for its industrial explosion in the region of the Great Lakes is now standing at possibly a new dawn... the creation of being a strong contender for the music scene, much like Nashville is today.

With this in mind, the resonating rock and blues plus more yet to be revealed have begun with the band, Greta Van Fleet. They are poised and ready to bring the elements of rock n' roll up to the next level.

Recently bassist Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet took some time out while they are on tour to give their …

Stryper
Brings Metal Stings with Their 30th Anniversary Album Celebration Tour: To
Hell With the Devil with
Song River

It
was a 'sweet' celebration Stryper brought with them everything a
30th-anniversary celebration should bring and then some! The strength
and heart as the yellow and black brought the hard rock attack back
to Arizona, as the Nile Theatre was packed with die hard fans that
came from some sort of faith background so it seemed and included a
wide age group range.

Stryper
really was the premiere heavy metal Christian rock band that came
onto the scene back in the 80's and pioneered the way and without a
doubt still brings the best of it all today. Still working with the
original lineup of vocalist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet,
bassist Timothy Gaines and guitarist Oz Fox hitting the
30th-anniversary release, 1986's album, To Hell With the Devil.
The album spoke to so many when it was released and today those fans
who fell in love with To Hell With the De…

Adam Ant at the Celebrity Theatre by H. Reavis How does one categorize a man who is one part rock star, several parts romantic highwayman, a dash of the peculiar gentleman, and a whole lot of British? One doesn’t. He must be christened and his name yelled in revered abandon: it’s Adam Ant. With a career spanning more than thirty years, the charismatic Adam has enjoyed chart success, awards (particularly the Q Music Icon Award in 2008), movie roles including Drop Dead Rock with Debbie Harry, and sold out concert performances worldwide. His music videos revolutionized the visual aid for musicians with storytelling in lieu of the standard promo. Drawing from his experience in art school his videos chronicled the adventures of his romantic pirate alter ego in “Stand and Deliver” and “Prince Charming.”

Currently in the throes of another tour called Anthems, which is a follow-up to his successful Kings of the Wild Frontier Tour, Adam, and the band are bringing his extensive singles catalog to b…

Whether it is the challenge of growing up too fast, playing in a band that he loves, flying solo, working on music projects, the loss of a loved one, or just kicking back at home musician/singer-songwriter Michael Sweet greets each day as if it were to be his first and his last. With an eagerness to say yes and come what may. His faith in God has carried him to say, "I am not a man of many regrets." Song River: Being
on tour for a band must be an almighty passion. What is it though
that most bands do when they have a 'day off' while they are out
touring? Michael Sweet: To
be honest, aside from interviews and social media, it is a day we
finally get to do our laundry! [laughed] I am so OCD about doing
laundry. You got to be the first one up if you want to get it done. Song River: Laundry
day has to be a good day! When you are on the road and away from home
what are some of the things you miss? Michael Sweet: Of
course I don't like being away from my fam…